The 2006 GMC pickup truck owned by the father of two boys kidnapped from their grandparents’ house has been found abandoned in a parking garage in the Tampa Bay area.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says detectives are processing the vehicle, found late Thursday in Madeira Beach. They’re searching for clues to help them find 4-year-old Cole Hakken and his 2-year-old brother Chase.
Authorities say the children’s father, 35-year-old Joshua Michael Hakken, and his 34-year-old wife, Sharyn Patricia Hakken, are prime suspects. Investigators are considering the couple armed and dangerous, MyFoxTampaBay.com reported.
Authorities in several states are searching for the boys, as tips continue to pour in. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said they had a report the truck was seen in the southeastern area of the state.
Joshua Hakken lost custody of his children last year after a drug possession arrest in Louisiana. The children’s grandmother, Patricia Houser was awarded permanent custody by Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services, MyFoxTampaBay.com reported.
Investigators say Joshua Hakken kidnapped Cole and Chase around 6 a.m. after tying up their Houser in her house. Joshua’s wife, Sharyn was also involved in the kidnapping.
“My son-in-law just kidnapped my two grandchildren,” Houser tells dispatchers in a portion of the 911 call released by authorities.
Houser then tells the dispatcher the children are in “state custody” and that her son-in-law is “not supposed to be near them,” MyFoxTampaBay.com reported.
Houser told the dispatcher she was able to free herself with a pair of scissors after Joshua Hakken tied her up, but that the group had already been gone about a half-hour. Police say Hakken was not armed when he took the children.
Detectives and the FBI are working to determine the family’s connection to Louisiana. Joshua Hakken was once arrested in the state on multiple drug charges, MyFoxTampaBay.com reported.
Chase is 3 feet tall and 33 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Cole is 3-foot-9 and 44 bounds. He also has brown hair and brown eyes.
Click of more from MyFoxTampaBay.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News